Brookbank just happy to be in lineup

Normally a defenseman, Hawks played him at right wing Saturday night for 2nd straight game

November 09, 2013|By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

DALLAS — After rotating in and out of the Blackhawks' lineup as a defenseman this season and last, Sheldon Brookbank has found a home on right wing — for now.

"You stay in any way you can," said Brookbank, who was on right wing on the Hawks' third line for the second consecutive game Saturday night when they beat the Stars 5-2 at American Airlines Center. "I'd rather play defense — it's my first spot I want to be. But if (playing wing) keeps me in the lineup, I'll take it."

Brookbank, 33, has played forward a handful of times during his career with the Devils, Ducks and Hawks, so the position change is not completely foreign to him.

"You're kind of up in the middle of the ice more and you have guys behind you and ahead of you, so you have to pay attention in that sense," Brookbank said. "It's a little more simplified playing the wing than defense. It's a get-it-out, get-it-in, get-it-in-on-their-'D' type of thing. That's all I'm really looking to do out there."

The change has come at the expense of rookie winger Jeremy Morin, who was a healthy scratch for the second game in a row. Coach Joel Quenneville said the move allows Brookbank and defenseman Michal Rozsival to remain in the lineup.

"I just thought (Brookbank) did his job pretty well the other day (against the Jets on Wednesday)," Quenneville said. "I don't think it's going to be a long-term thing."

Brotherhood: Hawks winger Patrick Kane became friends with the Stars' Tyler Seguin when both played for EHC Biel-Bienne of the Swiss League during the lockout last season. Kane said he's not surprised the 21-year-old Seguin had gotten off to a strong start this season (seven goals, nine assists) after being dealt from the Bruins during the offseason amid controversy.

"I was surprised Boston gave up on him that quick, especially after a couple of years in the league," Kane said. "He was a high draft pick (second overall in 2010), had some good years in Boston. … I'm happy for him that he's happy here and he's off to a good start."

He said it: Seguin offered up a two-word answer when he was asked his biggest memory of the Stanley Cup Final between the Hawks and the Bruins.

"Probably losing," Seguin said.

Good cause: The Hawks will wear camouflage jerseys during warm-ups before Sunday night's game against the Oilers at the United Center. Each jersey will be autographed by the player who wore it and then auctioned online at auction.nhl.com through noon Nov. 18, with proceeds benefiting the USO of Illinois.